The application of pelvic osteotomy in adult female patients with exstrophy: Applications and outcomes

OBJECTIVE To apply the technique of pelvic osteotomy to a select group of adult female patients with exstrophy, in view of the low complication rate and acceptable success rate of the technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS We applied this technique as an adjunct to uterovaginal suspension and abdominal wall repair after our prior success in treating patients with extreme pelvic diastasis. Bilateral innominate (transverse) and vertical iliac osteotomies were done from an anterior approach and an external fixator was placed. The fixator and pelvic bones were gradually cranked together over a period of 2-3 weeks until the diastasis was less than 4 cm. Then sacrocolpopexy was performed with revision of the abdominal wall and revision genitoplasty along with the placement of an intrasymphyseal titanium plate. RESULTS Six patients presented with uterine/vaginal prolapse and concerns about the appearance of their abdominal wall and genitalia. Three patients had undergone uterine suspension before and one patient had had five prior attempts at suspension, which failed. The mean (range) age was 22.3 (18-26) years. All the patients underwent staged reduction of pubic diastasis and sacrocolpopexy along with revision of the abdominal wall and in four cases revision genitoplasty was also performed. The mean (range) diastasis was 12.8 (8-18) cm and 2.8 (3-4) cm before and after staged reduction respectively. Complications included transient femoral nerve palsy (two) and foot drop secondary to sciatic nerve stretch (one), which resolved with time. The symphyseal plate needed to be removed in three patients: secondary to persistent pain at the site (one), persistent discharge from the lower abdominal wound (one) and erosion into the anterior wall of the vagina (one). At a mean (range) follow-up of 60.7 (2-137) months the cosmetic and functional outcome of the abdominal wall reconstruction and genitoplasty was good with all the patients being satisfied. Five patients are currently sexually active and none has had a recurrence of their prolapse. None has become pregnant yet. CONCLUSIONS Although the morbidity of this procedure in the adult is not insignificant, it is a valuable adjunct to pelvic floor reconstruction in young women of childbearing age even in those who have had prior suspension procedures. In addition, it allows the movement of lateral previously unoperated skin into the midline, allowing scar and skin replacement with healthier more vascularized tissue.